1 Lucky Texan

are there useful or cross-referenceable (?) numbers on the installed part itself?

um, I wonder if your engine could have a plastic air/oil separater plate? They are on the rear of the engine and can be notorious for leaking.

I read once, only once, of misfires apparently caused by debris on a crank sensor - so, I guess wipe it clean while you're in there? They seem to be built with a magnet inside and maybe ferric dust collects on them???

Wayne, if you thought the car would be off road much, the Forester has better stock approach and departure angles. Of course, Outbacks and legacys can be lifted/modded......

I think Foresters got the timing chain engines starting about 2012 or so, BTW, you can check that and other feature introductions at www.cars101.com , good info there. some folks feel 2010 or so are the best Forries. I dunno

cyls 3 and 4 share half the coil.....

does this car have an upgraded headunit? CD player? maybe a CD is stuck in it.....or an external amp is on..... just a wag.

primary difference in sound is; 4 cyl NA, 4 cyl turbo (unequal length headers) and I guess the H6es. I LOVE how my WRX sounds with my Stromung muffler. early DOHC 4cyl (90s - early oughts) have a poor reputation for internal HG leaks, later ones might seep externally. Most of thos cars have either been fixed now (using turbo gaskets) or scrapped. Problem with rebuilding one of those is, how hot/how often did it cook from overheating. A better choice for a project would be a later car that someone let the timing belt system fail. Likely get away with just head rebuilding. Of course, if you find a VERY straight body with any bad engine, dropping a used engine in(properly prepared) is another approach. Basically, just careful shopping.... You can check the 'sticky' posts at the top of each generation's Forum for the common issues.

not sure when the framed windows came in but, probably around 2011 ? You need to shop very carefully indeed if you're looking for a 10+ year-old car. In a new thread, ask for a subaru friendly shop near Pittstowm. 2 reasons, you may need a mechanic to do a prepurchase inspection. You could also ask if they have a customer selling a car.

if your car has those connectors, thr green ones may be useful to cycle fans/relays under some uncommon conditions. But, for just scanning codes and clearing codes, etc., if you own a smartphone, an app like Piston or Torque, with a cheap-ish ELM327BT adapter, is a good way to read scan the ECU.

there could also be a trailer wiring harness? not sure on the older models. but likely still require a splice.

get an adapter? http://tireshopsupplies.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=41_302&products_id=4797 https://www.uswheeladapters.com/wheel-adapters/

ANY issue related to cooling system should immediately trigger a look in the radiator itself. do not rely on the overflow res. level (though important not to be empty) as a reliable guide to coolant volume. with gauge normal and no heat -- maybe low coolant? heratless, I bet you do but, make sure the thermostat is OEM style. is heat directed out the defroster?

already replaced the rad on my 06 WRX - under 80K miles. slow leak at top tank crimp.

yeah, I can't help wondering what issue has been going on to lead to that? Bad PCV valve? or bad temp sensor or knock sensor or ??? throwing off the fueling/ignition for a long time??? wonder what the valves look like? maybe that SeaFoam spray with the u-turn nozzle could help here?

take care, ask questions here - lots of more experienced soob-heads than me here and friendly folks too.

WAIT! - there MIGHT be a way to knock some more teeth off, then use it on a 90s car! LOL!

took until the end of the year for one of my posts to actually help someone! glad it's running.

I'm no expert but, if they appear to have the same numbers printed on them, they may be functionally the same. I guess try them both ways?

yeah, the ECU in the car needs w'ever crank/cam signals it is expecting so, possible cam gear differences too.

Is this car an Outback Sport? Imprezas had dbw in '07, not sure when legacy outback got it. dbw does not have IACV, the ecu holds the throttle open for idle air or something I think. any CEL codes stored? early DBW had some bad throttle pedal asemblies - pr maybe the car has lost its zero calibration? exhaust smell rich? gas smell?

get a voltmeter on there.

maybe there's a water spray for the intercooler you could mod into it?

Others here will respond I'm sure, I'm just wondering if this could be an issue with using the correct crank sprocket. It may matter to the ECU how many 'tabs' are on the sprocket for the CPS to detect.

year old thread Maybe it was a brake line that got replaced?